Entering Into the Gate of Heaven

Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening,
into the house and gate of heaven,
to enter into that gate, and dwell in that house where there shall be
no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;
no noise nor silence, but one equal music;
no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession;
no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity;
in the habitation of thy glory and dominion,
world without end. Amen.

- John Donne

Prayer for Children

Blessed God, you have created life to begin with childhood, a time of innocence, laughter, and exploration. Bless, we beseech you, the children of this world. Grant unto them the nurture they need for strong physical growth, keen minds, balanced emotions, and a holy spiritual life. Send unto them teachers to inspire an inquiring and discerning heart, to enable curiosity toward their surroundings, and a knowledge of this global village. Bless them with love, hope, and vision, and keep them ever in your unfailing compassion and protection. Amen.

Prayer for the Sick

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: mercifully accept our prayers and grant to your servant (name) the help of your power, that her/his sickness may be turned into health and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing for Many Occasions

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

- Numbers 6:24-26

To Commit to Purity

Father, I'm praying that (name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends will be committed to purity...

Keep their feet from every sinful path, from being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Help them not to associate with those who might be a bad influence, who might lead them into temptation. Turn them away from those intent on wrong living and from their own sinful ways. May they follow a path that swerves neither to the right nor the left. (Psalm 119:101; Proverbs 4:14; Acts 3:26; Proverbs 4:26–27)

Help them to trust that there's no temptation they'll ever face that is beyond their saying no, that You will never let them be tempted beyond what they can handle. When they're tempted, provide a way out—and give them the heart to run from sin in Your strength. May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in their lives, especially the fruit of self-control. (1 Corinthians 10:13; Genesis 39:12; Galatians 5:22–23a)

Help them do what You want them to do, certain that every step they take is sure and right. Clear the way for them; hold them securely so if they stumble across temptation, they won't fall. (Psalm 37:23–24)

No matter what mistakes they've made in the past, may they now choose to live in purity.

In Jesus' name, amen.

- Jim & Kaye Johns

Prayer for Comfort and Hope

Grant unto us, Almighty God, in all time of sore distress,
the comfort of the forgiveness of our sins.
In time of darkness give us blessed hope,
in time of sickness of body give us quiet courage;
and when the heart is bowed down, and the soul is very heavy,
and life is a burden, and pleasure a weariness,
and the sun is too bright, and life too mirthful,
then may that Spirit, the Spirit of the Comforter, come upon us,
and after our darkness may there be the clear shining of the heavenly light;
that so, being uplifted again by Thy mercy,
we may pass on through this our mortal life
with quiet courage, patient hope, and unshaken trust,
hoping through Thy loving-kindness and tender mercy
to be delivered from death into the large life of the eternal years.
Hear us of Thy mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord – Amen.

- George Dawson